Historic Building
Phraya Singhanatracha Memorial
Situated at the foot of Doi Kong Mu, this monument commemorates the first governor of Mae Hong Son.
Phraya Singhanatracha is a Thai Yai native from Burma (Myanmar). He was regarded by the people as
the governor of Khun Yuam Town, which was to the south of Mae Hong Son. Later, he was officially
installed as the governor of Mae Hong Son by the King of Lanna in 1874.
Wat Phra That Doi Kong Mu
Location: Amphoe Muang
Erected by the first governor of Mae Hong Son, this temple reflects the
strong influence of the Burmese. The highlights of this attraction are
the two lavishly decorated pagodas. Also, this hilltop temple affords an
exceptional aerial view of the city and surrounding mountains and
valleys.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Another name is Wat Klang Mueang. This temple is on Sihanatbamrung Road
next to the morning market. Built in 1863 , the temple houses the Phra
Chao Pharalakhaeng, a Buddha statue dressed in beautiful attire. It is
a replica of a major statue in Mandalay, Myanmar.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Next to Wat Chong Kham is Wat Chong Klang where a replica of the Phra
Phuttha Sihing is installed on an altar. There are several interesting
items such as wooden figurines of human and animals depicted in the Phra
Vejsandon Jakata (pronounced Cha-dok which means one of odd stories of
former incarnations of the Buddha) created by Burmese craftsmen and
brought over in 1857, painting on glass about the Jakata and on Prince
Siddhartha, as well as on the ways of life of the time. The captions
are in Burmese. There are also notations that the paintings were by
Thai Yai artisans from Mandalay.
Location: Amphoe Muang
This temple at the foot of Doi Kong Mu houses a 12-metre long reclining
Buddha image in the Thai Yai style. The image was cast in 1875 by
Phranang Miah the wife of Phraya Singhanatracha. Another main feature
of the temple is the two large sculpted lions lying side by side,
presumably providing the passage for those going up to pay homage to the
Holy Relic on the hill.
Location: Amphoe Muang
Opposite Wat Phra Non, Wat Kam Ko is a Burmese-style temple built in
1890. A special architectural feature is the cover over the passageway
from the entrance arch to the chapel. It also stores text in Thai Yai
script chronicling the Thai Yai history.
Location: Amphoe Khun Yuam
This temple is located 7 kilometres from Khun Yuam having a large
beautiful Burmese style Viharn. According to the legend, it is said that
raft assembling people used to gather up in this area prior to making a
teak trees raft trip to the marketing places.
Location: Amphoe Khun Yuam
in Ban Khun Yuam houses a huge and beautiful northern-style pagoda.
Location: Amphoe Mae Sariang
This temple enshrines Lord Buddhas' relics brought from Chiang Mai. The
door and window of the chapel are decorated with beautiful stucco
designs.
Location: Amphoe Mae Sariang
is called Wat Chong Sung by local people and was built in Burmese
artistic style. It has two white pagodas in Mon style architecture and
one Burmese style Vihara which is very beautiful.
Location: Amphoe Mae Sariang
located near Wat Chong Sung, is one of many attractive monasteries. This
has a Burmese-styled main temple decorated with 'ginger bread' design.
Location: Amphoe Mae Sariang
is situated in Amphoe Mae Sariang. An important attraction is an old and
beautiful bronze image of the Buddha Subduing Mara of the Chiang Saen
period. Phra Buddha Si-Hing, known as Phra Phet or Phra Sing Nung, is
another image of Buddha to which the people have paid respect since the
old days.
Location: Amphoe Pai
about 3 kilometers from Pai Market,
contains a sacred Chiang Saen Buddha image, 24 inches wide at the base
and 30 inches high. The image's topknot can be opened. Inside is holy
water, revered by local folk.
Morning Market
Location: Amphoe Muang
Near Wat Hua Wiang on Sihanatbamrung Road, this lively market is crowded
from early morning till 9 am. It is where visitors can see people
lifestyle and buy various local food and produces.
Location: Amphoe Mae Sariang
is a large Karen village, locate 3 km from the market place, where hand
woven fabric are produced for sale at cheap prices. The single virgins
of this village wear white dresses.
Location: Amphoe Pai
about 3 kilometers from Pai Market, contains a sacred Chiang Saen Buddha
image, 24 inches wide at the base and 30 inches high. The image's
topknot can be opened. Inside is holy water, revered by local folk.
Location: Amphoe Pai
is in Tambon Wiang Tai. In the precincts of this temple, a main Chedi of
Thai Yai style stands in the center of the temple yard. It is surrounded
by Mon Chedies, below which Buddha images of the seven days the a week
can be seen in niches. A finial-topped Mandapa was built on the base of
the main Chedi.
is located in Mu 4, Tambon Mae Hi. The Karens here have their own
alphabets and are highly civilized. Traveling is easy by car.
Location: Amphoe Pai
in Ban Mae Yen. Tambon Mae Hi, from where visitors can overlook the
whole Amphoe Pai after paying tribute to the shrine. Travelers by air
use this chedi as a marker of Pai district area.
Salween National Park
Covering a forested area of 721 square kilometers, the Salawin National
Park is on the bank of the Salween or Salawin River on the Thai-Myanma
border, about 164 kilometres south of Mae Hong Son. The Salawin River
originates from Tibet before winding through China, Thailand and Myanmar
for a total distance of more than 3,000 kilometres. The river is
regarded as the borderline between Myanmar and Thailand for a distance
of 120 kilometres.
Visitors wishing to take a boat along the river have tocontact the park
headquarters for their safety during the journey. The headquaters also
provide accommodation and other facilities. To get to the headquarters,
one can take Route 1194 from Mae Sariang district for about 4 kilometres,
then turn right and continue along a dirt road for 4 kilometres. The
best time for boat trip is from March to April when the water level is
low and sandy beaches appear. Sceneries along the riverbanks are
captivating with forest and mountains and dotted with small hamlets.
Pha Bong Hot Springs
Location: Amphoe Muang
Covering an area of 3 acres, Pha Bong Hot Spring is located about 11
kilometres from town on Highway No.108. There are facilities for mineral
water bath for health purpose.
Location: Amphoe Muang
About 17 kilometres from town on Highway No. 1095 (Mae Hong Son-Pai),
Tham Pla is a popular attraction of Mae Hong Son. The surrounding areas
are brooks and cool hilly forests suitable for relaxation. A special
feature is the hollow cave filled with numerous freshwater fish known as
Pla Mung or Pla Khang, which is of the same family as the carp. The fish
are quite safe from being caught as they are believed to belong to the
gods.
Location: Amphoe Muang
his waterfall is in Tambon Mokchampae about 26 kilometres from the
provincial seat on Route 1095 to Pai district with a left turn at Km.
191. It is a large fall with its water source in Myanmar and runs full
during the late rainy season (August-September).
Location: Amphoe Muang
Tham Lot is a huge cave system once a dwelling place of pre-historic
man. Archaeologists have discovered ancient clay pottery and a number of
carved wooden coffins inside the rooms of the cave. Tham Lot is located
some 77 kilometres from town. Between Km.138 and Km.139 of Route 1095, a
small roads lead to the cave after a 9-kilometre drive. Here nature has
created an exotic subterranean wonder of darkness and mystery.
A brook runs from the cave mouth through to the other side of the
mountain. It is a route where visitors may travel by raft or by foot to
explore the 1-kilometre-long cave full of stalactites and stalagmites.
There are services provided by villagers to guide visitors in their
exploration at 100 baht per group. Accommodation as well as camping site
is available near the Tham Lot Nature Study Centre in front of the cave
mouth.
Location: Amphoe Khun Yuam
is located in Nam Tok Surin National Park at km. 220 on Highway No.108,
30 kilometers from Amphoe Khun Yuam. It is believed to be the highest
waterfall in Thailand.
Location: Amphoe Khun Yuam
The Dok Bua Tong (may be classified as wild sunflowers) blooms
during November painting the entire hilly area of Doi Mae U-kho
in brilliant yellow draw flocks of visitors to Khun Yuam district.
Camping sites arranged during the Bua Tong Bloom Festival is 26
kilometers from the district on Highway No. 1263.
Location: Amphoe Pai
is situated in Ban Mae Yen, Tambon Mae Hi, about 7 kilometers from
Amphoe Pai. It is a three-tiered waterfall and one of the most beautiful
in the district. It takes visitors 3-5 hours to reach this waterfall on
foot.
Location: Amphoe Pai
is located 9 kilometers from Amphoe Pai and can be reached conveniently
by car. The surrounding area is shady and beautiful. Nearby there is
Muang Soi Waterfall and a peaceful Muser tribe village.
Location: Amphoe Pai
is the location of the Royal Forestry Department's Royal Water Sources
Development Project at Mu 7, Tambon Wiang Nua. The area, stretching out
as far as Amphoe Mae Taeng, Changwat, Chiang Mai, is planted with 'cold
climate' flowers and trees which contribute to its scenic landscape.
Tha Pai Hot Spring
Location: Amphoe Pai
This is another attraction in the area of Huai Nam Dang National Park.
The hot spring is two kilometres off Route 1095 at Km. 87. It has an
average temperature of 80 celcius. Steam from the spring permeates the
site in the morning creating fascinating sights. The area is also rich
in teakwoods and suitable for overnight camping.
There are hot springs located in Amphoe Pai area, named
Muang Paeng Hot Spring in Tambon Muang Paeng,
Pong Ron Hot Spring
in Tambon Mae Hi and Pong Duat Hot Spring
in Tambon Tung yao.
This is a geyser type hot spring which rises up 2 metres high. At Km. 42 of Route 1095,
there is a six-kilometre road leading to the hot spring.
Ban Nam Phiang Din
is a destination in Tambon Pha Bong reached by a 2-hour motor boat trip
or 1-day rafting along Pai River vai Ban Huai Dua, a scenic route with
marvelous terraced cataracts. Not too far beyond Ban Nam Phiang Din,
within Myanmar territory, lies another well frequented tourist
destination known as Pha Hom Nam.
is another tribal village worth visiting, located some 30 kilometers
before Amphoe Pai. Normally this section of Pai River is best enjoyed
from a long-tailed motor boat, which takes only 2-3 hours return trip.
An alternative is to trek on elephant back as the scenery on both sides
is fascinating and beautiful. For boat cruising, accommodation and
trekking, contact major hotels and resorts or travel agents in Mae Hong
Son.
This village is situated 44 kilometres from Mae Hong Son via Pha Suea
Waterfall near the Thai-Myanmar border. Founded by Kuomintang Chinese
soldiers, the village is famous for its breathtaking views and tea
cultivation. Visitors can see how the tea is grown and harvested and
taste some delicious U-long tea. An annual Tea Tasting Festival is held
at Ban Rak Thai in February.
Location: Amphoe Phoe Mae La Noi
in Tambon Huai Hom is situated in the area where three districts meet:
Mae Chaem, Mae La Noi and Mae Sariang (Chiang Mai Province). The
culture, architecture, costumes and character of the hilltribes here are
different from other hill tribes in Thailand. The attraction of this
village is its hilltop location with beautiful views. Visitors can
easily go to the village as it is about 32 kilometers from the district.
Location: Amphoe Phoe Mae La Noi
is about 4 kilometers from Ban La-up. Its village adhere to their
religion and have gentle and polite manners. As the hill tribe community
development center is established in the village, the villagers have
learned to make clothes from wool and how to grow fruits and other
temperate plants. This village is thus a good model for other hill
tribes.
Location: Amphoe Phoe Mae La Noi
in Tambon Tha Pha Phum is about 13 kilometers from the district. Houses
here are built in a dramatic style along the slopes of the mountains.
During the dry season, visitors can appreciate the beautiful scenery
when wild flowers and foliage turn to orange color. Near the village,
there are waterfalls which are good for relaxation. The villagers still
live in a traditional way and not many changes over the years are
apparent.
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